Definitions and Examples of cause, source, origin
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
A person, thing, or event that makes something happen; the reason behind an action or outcome.
Example
The cause of the accident was a driver who ran a red light.
The origin or starting point of something; the place or thing from which something comes.
Example
The source of the river is in the mountains.
The point or place where something begins, arises, or is derived.
Example
The origin of the word 'robot' is from a Czech word meaning 'forced labor.'
Key Differences: cause vs source vs origin
- 1Cause refers to the reason behind an action or outcome, while outcome refers to the end result.
- 2Source and origin both refer to the starting point of something, but source is more commonly used for physical objects or substances, while origin is used for abstract concepts like ideas or words.
Effective Usage of cause, source, origin
- 1In Science: Use cause to describe the reason behind an experiment's results.
- 2In History: Use source to describe the origin of historical events or artifacts.
- 3In Language: Use origin to explain the etymology of words or phrases.
Remember this!
The antonyms of outcome are cause, source, and origin. While outcome refers to the end result, cause refers to the reason behind an action or outcome. Source and origin both refer to the starting point of something, with source being more commonly used for physical objects and origin for abstract concepts.
